Elissa Blowe and Daryl Wells award the 2008 Leaders at Fort Erie Race Track

Chad Beckon
486 mounts
85 wins
99 seconds
72 thirds.

Earnings - $1,059,262

Beckon recorded his second leading rider title this season. The 28 year-old Bolton, Ontario native was Fort Erie’s leading apprentice and leading rider in 2005 when he rode 99 winners. He was also voted outstanding rider by his peers.

Melanie Pinto
305 mounts
41 winners
33 seconds
38 thirds.

Earnings - $436,628

Melanie Pinto captured the leading apprentice title in her first full year of riding. Pinto finished sixth in the overall standings. The 27-year-old rider began her career last summer and in rode her first winner in September at Fort Erie.

Mike Newell
231 starts
36 winners
24 seconds
24 thirds.

Earnings - $325,569

Mike Newell enjoyed a successful summer season at the Border track recording his first Fort Erie training title. Newell who also competes at Thistledown and Mountaineer has been training horses at Fort Erie since 1994.